Environment and Ecology (Importance of different ecosystems and conservation efforts) by Rajvardhan

Category: GS -III,

Test Date: 19 May 2023 07:00 AM

Evaluated: Yes

Environment and Ecology (Importance of different ecosystems and conservation efforts) by Rajvardhan

Instruction:

There will be 2 questions carrying 10 marks each. Write your answers in 150 words
Any page left blank in the answer-book must be crossed out clearly.
Evaluated Copy will be re-uploaded on the same thread after 2 days of uploading the copy.
Discussion of the question and one to one answer improvement session of evaluated copies will be conducted through Google Meet with concerned faculty. You will be informed via mail or SMS for the discussion.

Question #1. Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking & its possible impact on the environment?

Question #2. Oil spills after result in immediate & long term environmental damage that can last for decades. Discuss the impact of oil spill on marine ecosystem. What are various measures to contain pollution from oil spill?

(Examiner will pay special attention to the candidate's grasp of his/her material, its relevance to the subject chosen, and to his/ her ability to think constructively and to present his/her ideas concisely, logically and effectively).

STEPS & INSTRUCTIONS for uploading the answers

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Step 2 - Uploading of Answers : Write the answer in A4 Sheet leaving proper margins for comments and feedback and upload the PDF in MY ACCOUNT section. Click on the option of SUBMIT COPY to upload the PDF.

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Model Answer

Question #1. Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking & its possible impact on the environment?

Ans. : River linking project : It envisages the transfer of water from water surplus basins where there is flooding to water deficit basins, where there is water scarcity.

It links rivers by a n/w of reservoirs & canals of water redistribution.

Reality : Polavaram project Godavari-Krishna

Ken-Betwa Project

Proposed : Connecting the Ganga & Mahanadi Basin

Connecting the tributaries of the Ganga with the Sabarmati & Chambal.

Advantage :

Flood mitigation & drought proofing
Hydroelectricity -34GW potential.
Drinking water problem reduce
Supply water to industries in drought prone & water scarce cities.
Additional irrigation – upto 35 mha in western & peninsular regions.

Employment increase

Crop production increase – farming income increase

Navigation
Fisheries

Possible environment impact

Change in hydrological regime of river
Impact on biodiversity, ecological imbalance.
Deforestation – for construction canals,
Rehabilitation issues
Submerge
Reduce in quality of fresh water entering sea that lead to threat marine eco-system

What is oil spill? – release of petroleum products into the environment (ocean, sea) – dew to human activity.

A from of pollutions

Impact

Food production decrease

Some zooplanktons – ingest oil droplets leading to mortality/abnormalities.

Fishes – kills

Kill fish eggs :

It lead to economic impact and livelihood impact

Benthic Organisms – accumulation of contamination

Coral reef

Birds – oil affects feathers of birds – reduce there insulating ability & make than more vulnerable to temperature fluctuation.

Marine mammals – Physical contact of oil with furred mammals usually effect these animals.

Measure to contain

1.Physical recovery – arresting its spread and then using vaccume suckers to remove the oil.

2. Bioremediation – oil eating bacteria

1. Sulfate reducing bacteria
2. Acid reducing bacteria
3. General aerobic bacteria
4. Alcanivorax or methylocella silvestris

3. Controlled burning (in low wind conduction)

4. Use of dispersants – oil floats because of high surface tension
Dispersants reduce the surface tension oil and water – oil can dilute & settle on ocean floor
But this is harmful as dispersants increase the hydrocarbon levels.

5. Solidifying – Solidifying change state of oil from liquid to solid, semi solid or rubber like

These measures can help us remove oil from marine ecosystem but emphasis should be on prevention of oil spills event for which the roll of shipping industry and oil companies carrying out offshore drilling is important.

Mains Answer Writing

Environment and Ecology (Importance of different ecosystems and conservation efforts) by Rajvardhan

Model Answer

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